Instincts On Rampage

How instincts can exceed their proper function.

The collision of instincts can produce anything from a cold snub to a blazing revolution.

We have learned that the satisfaction of instincts cannot be the sole end and aim of our lives.

If we place instincts first, we have got the cart before the horse; we shall be pulled backward into disillusionment.

When the satisfaction of our instincts for sex, security, and society becomes the sole object of our lives, then pride steps in to justify our excesses.

By now the newcomer has probably arrived at the following conclusions: that his character defects, representing instincts gone astray, have been the primary cause of his drinking and failure at life.

Here's an interesting factoid: the words instinct and instincts appear about 35 times in our literature and all but two are in the 12&12.  Moreover, the two times they appear in the Big Book they are not referencing our own personal instincts.  Apparently, after a few years the founders started to be suspicious that they had really missed something important when they were writing the book.  Fair enough - it was sort of dicey and experimental at the start.  Dr. Bob had at least one seance at his house, for chrissake.

Here's one of my favorite lines in the literature: "Instincts on rampage balk at investigation."

Rampage: A period of violent, reckless, or destructive behavior, often involving a person or group rushing around frantically.  It signifies uncontrolled rage and chaos.  Synonyms include frenzy, rage, and uproar.

Bill loved those kinds of images.  He loved to portray alcoholism in graphic, powerful words and images.  I have instincts.  My instincts like to riot violently.  C'mon, whether or not you're a Bill W fan that's some pretty cool shit.

Instincts:  A way of thinking, behaving, or feeling that is not learned; a subconscious, automatic impulse driven by biological survival needs.

Instincts gone astray, exceeding their proper function, with the result that life is deeply, deeply unsettling and painful.  In fact, this state of mind leads to a deeply, deeply unhappy life, to "disillusionment."  I love the words and phrases: collision, battleground, blazing revolution, physical and mental liabilities.  I get the sense that because the instincts weren't properly addressed at the start that the founders really let 'er rip when the 12&12 was written.

Pride: A complex emotion and concept generally defined as a deep sense of pleasure, satisfaction or self-respect.

So pride appears in the literature like a billion times .  .  . I've really started to go down the wormhole.  I better be careful with all this cross-referencing.

Rampage would be an excellent, excellent name for a heavy metal band.